Apparatus for dyeing threads or yarns for textile machines and the like



1943- H. H. DENHoF APPARATUS FOR DYEING THREADS OR YARNS FOR TEXTILEMACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 9,

mwmjm 8 M MWI m MMW INVENTOR.

Feb- 9 1943 H. H. DENHoF 2,310,764

APPARATUS FOR DYEING THREADS OR YARNS FORA TEXTILE MACHINES AND THE LIKEFiled Oct. 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fiog. L/.

f iz 'VINI/ENTOR.

H owoU. H. 'Denkof J/ffzww ATTORNEY Harold H. Denim?, New York, N. il.

i939, Sal No. 298,3i6.

Application October if This invention relates to an apparatus forsupplying threads, or yarns of any material and ci various colors totextile machines such as e. g. sewing machines, weaving machines,knitting machines and the like.

According to my invention white threads i. e. undyed` threads which maybe bleached or uri-a bleached and which are supplied trom a reel or thelike are dyed and dried before the same are supplied to the textilemachine. The threads, yarns or the like may be dyed in any desired coloror the threads may, ii desired, be used without dyeing.

In the manufacture oi garments such as mens. ladies and childrens wearand underwear, shirts, shorts and the like as well as in the manufactureof shoes, textile fabrics, hosiery fabrics which are made by weaving andknitting threads, including silk threads, yarns, and the like must beused which have a dierent color. If e. g. colored shirts are sewn thesewing must be interrupted several times in order to thread another'thread of a diierent color. This operation consumes time and a certaincare must be exercised which is detrimental to mass production.

lin accordance with my invention the thread, yarn or the like is dyed onthe textile machine. it a thread of another color is required, insteadof threading another colored thread, by the simple operation of a knobor the like the thread may be dyed in the desired color and may be driedbefore the same is fed into the textile machine. This operation consumesonly a few seconds and requires no skill.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus bymeans of which one or more threads supplied to a textile machine such asa weaving machines, knitting machines, sewing machines or the like maybe dyed together in any desired color and dried thereafter before thesame are supplied tothe machine.

It is another object o the invention to provide an attachment fortextile machines, and the like which allows to save considerable timewhile sewing or knitting articles comprising threads or yarns ofdifferent colors.

It is a further object' of the invention to provide an attachment fortextile machines and the like which allows to increase the output of theindividual machine.

It is still an object of the invention to provide an attachment fortextile machines and the like which allows to save thread or yarn. Insewing machines and the like used heretofore the' thread (Cl. dent) hadalways to be threaded again ir a thread of a dierent color had to beused. This operation is not only time consuming but causes a wastage oithread. A

it is still a further object ci the invention to provide an attachmentfor textile machines and the like which allows to select the correctcolor for the thread without fail and which thus increases the safety otoperation of the sewing machine.: 4

it is still another object of the invention to provide an attachment fortextile machines and the like which cbviates the necessity to keep alarge number ci reels containing threads of various colors in stock. Bythe use of my improved attachment for textile machines and the like themanufacturer needs only keep white thread oi standard quality in stock.This has the further advantage that the quality of the thread of anycolor will always be the same while it may he sometimes dimcult toprocure the same quality of thread in all necessary and desired colors.Also, if only a small quantity of thread of a certain color is requiredit is not necessary to buy reels of thread having the desired colorwhich may' usually be obtained in large quantitles only.

With my improved attachment for textile machines it is possible to weavea small lot of fabrics such as handkerchiefs showing a new design in anew color` and to weave other fabrics in a diderent color if desired.

Heretoiore the entire warp of the loom had to be dyed before use whilewith my new apparatus it is possible to dye the warp on the loom andthus to obtain different shades on the same warp. In accordance with myinvention itis possible to dye the thread, yarn or the like on theknitting machine and thus to avoid the necessity to tie the threadstogether. Heretofore, it has not been possible to knit hosiery such asstockings or socks having diierent colors without tying the individualthreads of different colors. Also, in colored socks as made up to nowlong threads may be observed in the colored socks where the threads havebeen tied together.

Accordingly, it is still an object of the invention to provide anattachment for knitting machines and the like which allows to produce abetter and cheaper product.

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises thespecifically described andJ illustrated embodiments shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation with parts broken away of my improvedthread-dyeing and drying device.

Fig. 2 a section on line II-II of Fig. 1.\

Fig. 3 a section on line IJI--III 0f Fig. 1,

' Fig. 4 a front elevation with parts broken away of a modification ofmy improved thread-dyeing and drying device, and

Fig. a section on line V-V of Fig. 4.

Though the embodiments of my invention shown in the drawings aredesigned for the use of a sewing machine it will be'understood by theman skilled in the art that my new attachment may also be applied toother types of textile machines such as knitting machines or weavingmachines.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which similar parts aredesignated by the same reference characters, I designates a reel ofthread or yarn T. Reel I is rotatably arranged on a thread carrier 3having a customary construction. As shown in Fig. 1 an adjusting ring Eprovided with a set screw 1 is arranged on cylinder 2. Ring 6 may bemoved lup and down on cylinder 2'and x the same may be turned so thatreel I may beadjusted and xed in any desired position. On ring 6 one ormore thread reel carriers 3 are arranged which support reel I. Uusuallyone or two reels will be sulcient because for customary sewing machineslnot more than two threads will have to be dyed simultaneously. However,e. g. for special sewing machines such as chain stitch machines,bttonhole machines,

overlock and underlock machines using several sewing needles four ormore thread reel carriers will be required. It will be appreciated bythe man skilled in the art that my improved device may easily be adaptedfor a plurality of thread reel carriers.

In order to dye the thread or yarn a plurality of bottles are providedeach containing a dye having a suitable color. In the embodiments shownin the drawings six dye bottles 8 are provided. The dye bottles arepreferably made of a heat resisting material and the same are providedwith an opening 8 which is sufficiently large to introduce a fork whichis adapted to dip the thread into the bottle.` A number oi' bottles IIIequal to the number of bottles 8 is provided for an after treatment ofthe thread if this should be necessaryv for the type of dyestuff used.Bottles III are similar to bottles 8 in construction and shape and thesame are provided with an opening II. A heating means I2 is providedwhich preferably consists of an electric heating element in order toheat the dye bottles 8 and I0 if this should be necessary. It will beunderstood that, if required, onlyv bottles'8 may be heated or thatbottles 8 and bottles I0 may be heated in such a manner that each has adifferent temperature. Between walls I3 which support bottles 8 and IIIa space I4 is provided which allows the air heated by heating means I2to heat the bottles 8 and I0.

In order to dip the thread T unwound from reel I into bottles 8 and I8the device described hereinafter may be used. Push button I5 actuatesrod I 6 which in turn is connected to a transverse rod '25 fastened tobifurcated rod 5. Between wall 2B of the housing and the rod 25 springI1 is arranged. Underneath wall 26 transverse rod I8 connectsbifurcatedrrod 5. Rod I8 is provided with a sharp nose I9. At the lowerend of bifui-cated rod 5 forks 20 are arranged which, when button I5 ispushed down, are adapted to dip the thread into one of each of thebottles 8 'and I0. Rear wall 21 is provided with a hinge 2I which isconnected with a curved rod 22 having a shoulder 23. Spring 24 isinterposed between wall 21 and rod22. Against the action of spring 24shoulder 23 can be pressed by means of button 38 having a rod 28. Itwill now be evident that if it is desired to dip the thread into one ofthe bottles 8 and I0 it is only necessary to press the button I5 of thedesired dye bottle. Nose I8 of the pressed button I5 while moving downpresses curved rod 22 against wall 21 and thus releases nose I8 of thebutton I5 previously depressed. Nose I8 will now engage with shoulder 23and forks 28 will dip the thread into the desired dye bottle. If releasebutton 38 is pressed shoulder y23 disengages rod I8 and the spring I1pulls fork 20 out of the bottles again. It will be understood thatbutton '38 is only actuated if it is desired to release all forks 28. 28and 38 are guiding members which guide the thread from the reel Ithrough the dyeing device.

Cylinder 2 is provided with an opening 3l through which the thread T isthreaded and thread T leaves the cylinder through opening 4. Threadingneedle 32 is provided to thread the thread T through the dyeing device.Switch 33 opens and closes the electric current for heating element I2.

Cylinder 2 is arranged as a drying device for the thread. For 'thispurpose a heating element 34 having a switch 35 may be provided at thebottom of cylinder 2.

Walls 36 and 31 are preferably made of glass which makes it possible toinspect the bottles 8 and I8 without removing the same. Furthermore, itcan be observed when a bottle is empty and the same may be relled.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a modification of my invention. In this modicationtwo thread reels 4I and 42 are provided arranged on disk 43 which inturn is xed on cylinder 44. A drum consisting of cylinder 49 spacingdisks 41 and 48 is rotatably supported on cylinder 44 by adjusting ring50 which is provided with set screw 5I. Six bottles 52 are arranged ondisk 48 and the same are fixed by means of `spring 58. Openings 54 areprovided in disk 41 above each of the bottles 52. Dipping forks 55 areadapted to move through opening 54. Forks 55 are guided through tubes 58andthe same are adapted to move through openings in upper disk 41 andlower disk 48. At the lower end of each fork 55 a handle 51 is rotatablyarranged and provided with nose 58. Nose 58 engages with flange 59. Inorder to prevent a rotary movement of forks, 55 the same are providedwith a guiding recess which cooperates With a nose which may e. g. bearranged in disk 41. Thus forks 55 will always have the correct positionIn regard to opening 54. If handle 51 is turned nose 58 disengages ange59 and handle 51 moves downwardly until the same rests upon plate 15. At

the same time the selected fork 55 moves through opening 54 and dipsinto its appertaining bottle 52. It will be noted that each bottlecontaining a distinct color is provided with its own dipping fork 55 inorder to prevent that the dyestuil' remaining on the dipping forkcontaminates the dyestuif contained in another bottle. By turning drum41, 48, 49 any desired bottle 52 may be brought under the thread T.

i. Adjacent and above disk 41 a fork-shaped sheet member 18 is immovablyarranged on cylinder 44. Member 16 is provided with three openings 60,6I and 82 and with ear 83. Member 16 serves the purpose to guide threadT through openings 60, 6|, 62 -and through ear 63 and opening 64 inorder to provide the necessary tension of the thread. It is essentialthat member 16 with its ear 63 is arranged below the upper position offorks 55 because otherwise the thread T on member 16 will be gripped bythe forks 55.

The selected dye bottle '52 as Well as its opening 54 must be broughtinto such a position that opening 54 is bisected by the thread betweenear 63 and opening 64. This position is assured when handle 51 mesheswith an o-pening provided in plate 15.

Thread T is threaded and guided as follows. The same unwinds from reel4I and moves through ear 45, through openings 60, 6I and 62 and throughear 63. Now the thread is seized by fork 55 and dipped into bottle 52Wherefrom the same moves through opening 64 into cylinder 44. Incylinder 44 the thread moves once or several times through ears 65provided at the upper part of rod 61 and through' ear 66. Rod 61 havinga knob 10 is provided in cylinder 44 /and the lower end of rod 61 isprovided with disk 69 and Weight 68 having an ear 66. In order to threadthread T the same is threaded through ear 45, through openings 6D, 6Iand 62 and through ear 63, opening 64 and 1l and through ear 12.Openings 64 and 1| are provided on cylinder 44. Now, rod 61 is lifted bymeans of knob 10 and disk 69 seizes thread T extending between openings64 and 1| whereby thread T is pulled out of cylinder 44. Now, while rod61 is outside of cylinder 44 the thread is Wound one or several timesover ears 65 and 66. Weight 68 is adapted to move up and downl on rod61.

If e. g. a Whitethread is desired the fork 55 will be in its upperposition and the thread T will, accordingly, be longer. If one of theforks '55 is in its lower position as shown in Fig. l weight 68 will bein a higher position.

Cylinder 44 serves the purpose to dry the dyed thread and for thispurpose, a heating element 13 is provided which heats the interior ofcylinder 44 and a suitable number of openings 14 are provided tofacilitate the circulation of the hot air.

I claim:

l. An apparatus for the uninterrupted dyeing oi threads or yarnscomprising a source of supply for the threads, a plurality of vats eachcontain-l ing a dyestufi of a diierent color, a plurality of containerseach containing a liquid adapted for a furher treatment of a dyedthread, means for selectively guiding the thread from said source ofsupply and dipping it rst through one of said vats and thereafterthrough one of said containers, and means for drying the thus dyed andtreated thread.

2. An apparatus for continuously dyeing threads or yarns comprising atleast one reel adapted to supply thread, a hollow body, a plurality ofvats each containing a dyestuff of a different color, a pluralityv ofcontainers arranged adjacent to said dyestui vats, each of saidcontainers containing a liquid adapted for a further treatment of a dyedthread, the number of said after treatment containers being equal to thenumber of said dyestui vats, means for moving the thread supplied bysaid reel rst over each and all of said vats and thereafter over eachand all of said containers, means for moving the thread through apredetermined vat and through a predetermined container, means forheating said dyestui vats, further means for heating said aftertreatment containers, still further means for heating said hollowcylinder, and means for moving the thus dyed and treated thread throughsaid heated cylinder whereby the thread is dried.

3. An apparatus for continuously dyeing threads or yarns comprising atleastcnereel adapted to supply thread, a hollow cylinder, a plurality ofvats each containing a different dyestui, a support rotatably arrangedon said cylinder, said vats being supported by said support, means forrotating said support to bring a selected dyestuff vat into apredetermined position, means for moving the thread from said reelthrough the selected vat, means for heating said cylinder, and means formoving the, thread through said cylinder whereby the dyed thread isdried.

4. An apparatus for continuously dyeing threads oryarns comprising asource of supply for the threads, a plurality of vats each contain- .inga diderent dyestufi, and a plurality of means,

each being associated with one of said vats, for selectively guiding thethread from said source of supply through any one of said dyestui vats.

5. An apparatus for continuously dyeing threads or yarns comprising atleast one reel for supplying thread, a plurality of vats each containinga dyestuff of a dierent color, a plurality of containers arrangedadacent said dyestui vats, each of said containers containing a liquidadapted for a further treatment ci a thread, means for moving the threadsupplied by said reel rst over each and all of said vats and thereafterover each and all of said containers, a plurality of means, each beingassociated with one of said vats and with one of said containers, formoving the threadthrough a predetermined vat and through a predeterminedcontainer, and means for drying the dyed thread.

6. An apparatus for continuously dyeing threads or yarns comprising atleast one reel for supplying thread, a rotatable support, a plurality ofvats each containing a different dyestu andA arranged on said support,means for rotating said support to bring a selected dyestuff vat into apredetermined position, and a' plurality of means, each being associatedwith one of said vats, for

HAROLD H. DENHQF.

